There seems to be an influx of exciting television in May, both new and returning. From new series from television titan Ryan Murphy to a new series co-created by a “Rick and Morty” mastermind and the returns of some of the most exciting comedy series of 2019, there’s no shortage of things to watch in the upcoming month.
Better still, there’s such an array of genres and tone to explore that, if you have the time, there’s a likelihood you’ll stumble across something you never envisioned yourself watching and find a new show that you might not have found before. It’s a good month for distracting television, and there’s no shortage of it.
“Hollywood”
What You Need To Know: In one of the biggest deals in television history (worth an estimated $300 million), “Hollywood” is Ryan Murphy’s latest original series on Netflix. Billed as a throwback to what many consider to be the ‘golden age’ of Hollywood, the show will follow actors and actresses risking it all to make it big in Tinsletown. Murphy takes creative liberties with the series by establishing an alternative history for post-World War II Los Angeles with morsels of truth featuring the lives of Rock Hudson, Vivien Leigh, and more, while highlighting the industry bias of the time which still perpetuates to this day. The series reunites Murphy with frequent collaborator, screenwriter Ian Brennan (“Scream Queens,” “Glee”), as well as actor Darren Criss (“The Assassination of Gianni Versace”), who in addition to starring in the series will also executive produce. Additional cast members include the incomparable Patti Lupone, Laura Harrier (“BlacKkKlansman”), Dylan McDermott, Holland Taylor, and Jim Parsons (“Big Bang Theory”). While many remember stories about the glitz and glamour of 1940s Hollywood, the series will capture the battle of trying to make your mark in Hollywood as a young actor filled with the optimism and ambition that you hope will carry you straight to the top of Hollywood royalty.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on May 1 on Netflix
“Betty”
What You Need to Know: In 2018, the film “Skate Kitchen” was released and many, this critic included, consider it one of the very best of that year. Director Crystal Moselle, along with the original cast, returns for a new iteration of this world of female skaters with “Betty” on HBO. While the characters remain the same in terms of names and basic personality traits, the way in which they come together and bond changes so that it’s a coming of age story for all involved rather than having one leading character. A genuinely moving and off the cuff narrative experience about young women finding their way through the world with what they love and who they connect with, it’s a worthy continuation of a rich world. Our critic wrote, “Once its wheels start turning around Episode 3, ‘Betty’ becomes a delightful, empowering take on womanhood in a #MeToo world.”
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on May 1 on HBO
“The Eddy”
What You Need to Know: Love him or hate, there’s no denying that director Damien Chazelle is blazing a path for himself in Hollywood. While his last feature “First Man,” starring Ryan Gosling, did not reach the stratospheric heights of his predecessor, “La La Land,” it still cemented him as one of the most talented filmmakers working today. His latest project is a foray into television that reaches back to his love of jazz, seen both in “La La Land” and “Whiplash.” “The Eddy” is a musical drama starring the always great André Holland (“Moonlight,” “High Flying Bird”) alongside co-stars Joanna Kulig, who broke out in “Cold War,” and up and comer Amandla Stenberg (“The Hate U Give”). Written by Jack Thorne, best known for the various “This is England” sequel series, the combination of his gritty storytelling and Chazelle’s gravitation toward spectacle will make for a compelling match. Our critic wrote, “…’The Eddy’ can be a thrilling experience, one that immerses you in this comprehensively imagined world so wholly you can smell the cigarette smoke in your clothes and feel the cobblestone grit of a drunken walk home at dawn under your feet.”
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on May 8 on Netflix
“Solar Opposites”
What You Need to Know: For some television fans in the world, all that is needed to compel them to watch “Solar Opposites” are the words “made by the co-creator of “Rick and Morty.” With quite the passionate cult following under his belt, Justin Roiland is sure to find an audience with his latest venture, “Solar Opposites” set to air on Hulu. Created by Justin Roiland and Mike McMahan, the series will depart from the human protagonists of Roiland’s other, popular science fiction series, instead taking a look at the lives of a family of aliens who find themselves transplanted to a town in Middle America. Roiland will voice one of the characters along with Thomas Middelditch.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on May 8 on Hulu
“Dead to Me”
What You Need to Know: “Dead to Me,” like Netflix brethren such as “Ozark,” is one of those shows that I forget exists until marketing begins, despite the fact that reviews are relatively positive each time around. Our critic praised Season 1, writing, “The seesawing between grief and humor here won’t work for everyone, but that’s just more fuel for one of the ideas that ‘Dead to Me’ is playing with: we all grieve differently.” The inclusion of actresses Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini are enough to draw viewers in, especially if you’ve been fans of their careers up until now, waiting for whatever next project would show up and best highlight their talent. If you’re a fan, it would seem “Dead to Me” would be just that. Season 2 follows the two leads as their cover-ups continue to unravel before them and the stakes continue to rise.
Release Date: Season 2 premieres on May 8 on Netflix
“I Know This Much Is True”
What You Need To Know: This HBO miniseries, based on the beloved book of the same name by Wally Lamb, follows a man who recalls his troubled relationship with his mentally ill identical twin brother. This drama is written and produced by Derek Cianfrance (“A Place Beyond the Pines,” “Blue Valentine”) in his first television project, alongside Academy Award nominee Mark Ruffalo who also takes on the dual roles of twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey. Needless to say, Ruffalo has his hands quite full on this project. The series also boasts a strong cast including Juliette Lewis, Archie Panjabi, Kathryn Hahn, Academy Award winner Melissa Leo (“The Fighter”), Imogen Poots, and Rosie O’Donnell. This compelling and heartfelt drama will follow the parallel lives of both brothers and examine the bonds of family, trust, forgiveness, and sacrifice.
Release Date: The miniseries premieres on HBO on May 10
“The Great”
What You Need To Know: In the vein of the critically acclaimed 2018 film “The Favourite” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, this series about Catherine the Great of Russia is one part satirical and another historical. In “The Great,” Catherine, expertly played by actress Elle Fanning plots to overthrow her juvenile emperor husband, played by Nicholas Hoult (who also appeared in “The Favourite” alongside Emma Stone and Olivia Coleman), and seize the crown for herself. The similarities between “The Favourite” and “The Great” are inevitable considering Tony McNamara penned both projects. This period comedy series will examine the historical facts surrounding Catherine the Great’s rise to become the longest-reigning female ruler in Russia’s history. Most recently, Helen Mirren took on the role of Catherine the Great for HBO’s drama in 2019, but this incantation will be decidedly different in that it captures the start of her royal life, all the while reflecting the challenges of overcoming the patriarchy to seize her ultimate destiny – to rule.
Release Date: Series premieres on Hulu on May 15
“Snowpiercer”
What You Need To Know: Last year’s Academy Award winner for Best Director (and Best Picture) for “Parasite,” Bong Joon Ho, acts as executive producer for his latest endeavor, the reimagining of one of his notable films (of which there are many) 2013’s “Snowpiercer” starring Tilda Swinton, Chris Evans, and Octavia Spencer. Originally drawn from the French graphic novels of the same name, written by Jean-Marc Rochette, Jacques Lob and Benjamin Legrand, the series is placed before the events of the film, where a train bearing the last of humanity circles the globe nonstop about seven years after the Earth becomes a savage frozen wasteland. Starring Jennifer Connelly (“Alita Battle Angel”) and Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton”) as the leads, the series examines the effects of classism and social injustice which is particularly relevant today. Sean Bean (“Game of Thrones”) has also signed on to have a recurring role in the series so here’s hoping he gets to keep his head this time! The show has already been renewed for a second season so it’s obvious the TNT has great confidence in the show’s success, seeing that the film by Joon-ho was and still is critically lauded. There is little doubt the series will be too.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on May 17 on TNT
“Homecoming”
What You Need to Know: The first season of Amazon’s “Homecoming” didn’t quite make the waves that the studio would have liked, especially with a leading performance from Julia Roberts and directed by “Mr. Robot” creator Sam Esmail. Still, even though the buzz never matched that of its contemporaries, it built steady support from fans, especially those impressed with how Esmail and Co., were able to adapt what was once a podcast into engaging television. Season 2 finds us with a new lead as Janelle Monáe takes center stage alongside returning actors Stephan James and Hong Chau, with “The Stanford Prison Experiment” director Kyle Patrick Alvarez stepping up behind the camera. Considering we left Season 1 with some relative closure and James’ character seemingly taken out of the action, it will be interesting to see just how these characters are now drawn together.
Release Date: Season 2 premieres May 22 on Amazon
“Love Life”
What You Need to Know: Executively produced by Paul Feig, this anthology series is a bit of a head-turner with a premise that focuses on one character and her love affair with another person each episode, detailing the beginning and end of the relationship. The last anthology based romance series “Modern Love” on Amazon still leaves a bitter taste and this mode of storytelling has had a spotty history in terms of overall quality, but Feig’s involvement along with talent including Anna Kendrick and Lesley Manville on board makes it all the more enticing. The series will mark the launch of the HBO Max platform.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres May 27 on HBO
“Ramy”
What You Need to Know: Season 1 of Hulu’s “Ramy” wasn’t just superb television that masterfully blended comedy, drama, and character study, it was also a shining light on new talent, Ramy Youssef. Youssef even won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for his efforts and Season 2, with the addition of two-time Oscar winner Mahershal Ali, seems to take the character even further on his journey for self-enlightenment. Considering the first season left him considering a romantic dalliance with his cousin while in Egypt, there’s only room for him to go up in the upcoming Season 2.
Release Date: Season 2 premieres May 29th on Hulu
“Space Force”
What You Need to Know: Before the COVID-19 pandemic threw the world into a standstill, President Trump announced a new branch of the United States Airforce, known as the Space Force (USSF). This web series is spearheaded by veteran comedian Steve Carell (who also stars) alongside longtime comedy writer and icon, Greg Daniels, both of whom take the idea of developing this new military branch and turn it on its head. In a similar vein to beloved workplace comedy series “The Office” (also written by Daniels and Carell) the series synopsis describes the show as “a workplace comedy that centers on the people tasked with creating this sixth branch of the United States Military.” In what will inevitably be a series filled with hijinks, unexpected challenges, and eccentric scientists, audiences can expect to be in stitches the entire season. The remaining cast members include multiple Academy Award nominee John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz (“Parks and Recreation”), as well as Lisa Kudrow who was very recently confirmed as a recurring character in the show. Carell stars as U.S. Air Force General Mark R. Naird in the series, who is the team’s fearless (and reluctant) leader.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on Netflix on May 29